When you hear the word “drone” what do you think of? Twenty-five years ago, some of us might have pictured a male bee. Others may have thought of a low humming sound. Five years ago, almost all of us would have thought of military weaponry.

You’ve constructed firewalls, applied virus software, and password-protected your systems. But fraud techniques have become more sophisticated, and even the most savvy businesses are falling victim to what has been termed social engineering fraud.

Statistics vary, but numerous sources state that 40% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster and another 25% fail within one year. Yet by being proactive you can better equip your business for survival.

75% of companies without business continuity plans fail within three years after facing a disaster.

- Business Continuity Institute

How can you help prepare your company to not only respond to a disaster, but to remain in business once the dust settles?

Power tools can seem like a common part of our lives – so we often overlook the hazards they can pose. But these tools can cause serious injuries when they are not maintained or used properly.

Many of the issues stem from misuse of the tools. Whether it is from lack of proper training or perhaps the development of unsafe habits – it is a problem needing attention.

When we analyze workplace accidents we often discuss two things: their frequency and their severity. And though the severe accidents will be the most costly, the frequent accidents often give us the most concern. They are like the ticking of a time bomb. The more accidents you have, the more likely it is that one of them will be severe.

Whether you are a nonprofit hosting numerous events a year or a business planning a one-time function, it is important to understand the risks associated with special events. From a small open house to a large scale festival, special events can expose your organization to added risks.

When disaster strikes, the story will happen with or without you. Don’t let it happen without you. Make a comprehensive plan for handling communications before, during, and after a crisis.

The term workplace violence often evokes tragic images of shootings and death. But the problem is much broader than that. Workplace violence includes threats, physical assaults, and aggravated assaults. Even bullying, given its correlation to violence, can be considered a type of violence. And all of it, when allowed to persist in the workplace, invites low morale, low productivity, and even worse violence to disrupt a business’s operations.

Crises come in all different shapes and sizes - from an action by an employee that damages your brand to a natural disaster threatening your ability to stay in business.

There are numerous steps needed to prepare for a crisis, no matter the magnitude. One critical element to becoming disaster ready is creating a comprehensive crisis communications plan.